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Best Nature's Halloween Yet!!
Nature's Halloween, held on Saturday, October 30, was the best attended event, ever, at the Nature Park. This year, an estimated twelve hundred people came to experience fun, food and the Trick-or-Treat Trail. Popular activities included the pumpkin catapult, wagon rides, a live owl presentation, pumpkin pie baking contest and much more. The event concluded with Nature's Trick-or-Treat Trail, an environmental education experience showcasing nature's creepy and scary creatures.
Despite the windy conditions, all activities were carried off successfully and the new canvas sides on the pavilion provided much needed protection for many activities including the live owl presentation from the Howell Nature Center. This program featured several live owls, including a Great Horned, Eastern Screech and Long-Eared, while listening to an informative presentation on their natural history.
This year, Nature's Trick-or-Treat Trail featured some new exhibits. In addition to snakes, bats, spiders and owls, there were bees and wasps, and water critters. While many activities are fun oriented, this particular activity is the center of focus for the entire event. It's purpose is to dispel many of the scary myths surrounding these valuable creatures, and to highlight some of the fascinating characteristics of these amazing animals.
Nature's Halloween has turned into an enormous educational Halloween event. Many dedicated volunteers are needed for it to be successful. Flushing Township would like to thank all of those involved, and encourage others to join in the fun next year. Thank you also to the wonderful sponsors who provided over half of the costs to run this event. The Flushing community has really embraced this event. The park staff and the absolutely wonderful Nature's Halloween Committee are happy to put on this event for the public. New ideas are always welcome, as are new committee members. For more information to volunteer, or become a sponsor pleases contact the park office at 810-639-6161.
*Winter Activities
The Nature Park is planning to expand its winter activities. One of the nw activities will include working with the Genesee Audubon on the Winter Bird Count. Each year the Audubon Society conducts two bird counts, one in the winter and the other in the spring. Both counts give approximate numbers for the birds that are currently in Genesee County. The Winter Bird Count surveys the number of resident winter birds, while the Spring Bird Count surveys both resident birds and those stopping off during migration. The Nature Park staff participates in these counts. You can participate too! The date of the Winter Bird Count is Saturday, December 18th. Call the park office at 639-6161 to get the details, or go to the Genesee Audubon Society's website (www.flint.lib.mi.us/audubon)
Additional winter activities will include a public hike on Animal Tracks and Signs, scheduled for Saturday, December 4th from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. There will also be two winter night hikes, a great time to go on an owl prowl. In January and February, owls are the most vocal because they are breeding at that time. If you have never seen or heard an owl in the wild, this is your chance. See the "Schedule of Events" for dates and times.
By March, most of us are thinking about spring and preparing for the warmer weather. At the Nature Park, we do this through the Nature Home Building program, which includes the construction of a bird or bat house. This super parent/child event is scheduled for Saturday, March 12th from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. $5.00 pays for the materials.
Another late winter / early spring activity is our newly revised Pioneer Days. This is a combination of our Maple Syrup Time program and various pioneer related activities. Take a step back in time and learn how to collect maple sap and watch the tasty transformation into maple syrup. This event is weather dependent, the sap flows the best during alternations of cold nights and warm days. In connection with this event, various activities focused on pioneer skills are planned. These will include candle making, crafts and games, and more. Look for further updates on this program, which will take place sometime in March.
Where are the animals?
The Nature Park staff is frequently asked this question. The answer is right here even though you may not see them. It could take several visits before you see a deer or other animals. To increase your chances of a sighting, plan to come during early morning or at dusk. Winter brings both obstacles and opportunities for locating animals. The lack of foliage on trees decreases hiding areas for animals making it easier to spot them, but also allows sound to travel further and quicker allowing animals to hear intruders quicker. During winter most animals that do not hibernate are actually more active than in other seasons. This is due to the increased searching of food to regulate their body temperature during the cold season. This increased activity allows for possible increased viewing opportunities. Owls are more active and vocal in winter for this reason and because it is their mating season. This is why owl prowls are done during winter. One other distinct advantage during winter is animal tracks! Snow makes a great track medium, and provides evidence of even the most elusive creatures. Be sure to check out our animal tracks and signs program to learn more about tracks.
Water Quality Testing
In October, in cooperation with the Flint River Watershed Coalition and University of Michigan, Flint, the water quality of the Flint River was evaluated by gathering benthic macroinvertebrates (water critters). The rating was the highest on record. Based on the standards, set by the MDEQ, the water rated "Good". There is a trend that water quality is getting better and these results illustrate that fact. The encouraging part of the analysis is in finding a greater diversity of pollution intolerant species like stoneflies and certain mayflies. It's time to throw away those old perceptions about the Flint River being highly polluted. It is a wonderful recreational river for fishing, canoeing and just enjoying. The Flint River and other tributaries in the watershed are monitored twice a year. The Nature Park staff monitors the Flint River adjacent to the park property. The evaluations of our local water ways are very important, and are conducted by volunteers. To find out more about the Flint River water quality, benthic macroinvertebrates, or how to get involved visit (www.flintriver.org)
Guess That Animal
This mammal is fairly common to Michigan and most of North America, excluding the western states. Although it is common, it is very elusive and may not be seen or noticed readily. It prefers open areas or sparse mixed forests and forest edges. It can travel up to five miles in one night of hunting. The home range of this mammal can be from 250 -1,200 acres, depending on food abundance. This canine species stalks its prey silently, and then pounces on it, killing the prey quickly with a bite to the top of the neck. Its prey is variable, depending on the type and abundance of food available. Rabbits, squirrels, mice, voles, and ground birds are a main portion of its diet. This canine will also take carrion (rotten meat) crayfish, salamanders, snakes, beetles, nuts and fruit. The breeding season is between January and March resulting in typically five pups 51 - 54 days later. The pups are blind at birth, but have the distinctive white colored tip of their tails. This canine species scientifically named (Vulpes vulpes) has a bad rap in folklore. Little Red Ridding hood would not be afraid of this elusive canine weighing between 7 and 14 pounds
Answer: Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
Schedule of Events
ALL PROGRAMS ARE FREE UNLESS SPECIFIED
Animal Tracks and Signs
Saturday, December 4th 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Owl Prowl Night Hike
Friday, January 21st 9:00 - 11:30 pm
Bird Feeder Project
Sunday, January 23rd 1:00- 2:30 pm
At the Flushing Township Hall, located at 6524 N. Seymour Road
Owl Prowl Nature at Night
Friday, February 25th 9:00 - 11:30 pm
Nature Home Building
A super parent/child program to construct a bird or bat house.
Saturday, March 12th from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.
Held at the Flushing Township Hall, located at 6524 N. Seymour Road
Cost : $5.00
Terrific Trivia
1.) Which owl was not presented during the live owl demonstration at Nature's Halloween?
a. Eastern Screech
b. Great Horned
c. Great Gray
d. Long-eared
2.) The Winter Bird Count tallies the number of
migratory birds?
a. T
b. F
3.)Snow makes a good animal track medium?
a. T
b. F
4.) What is used to measure the Flint River water quality?
a. Benthic macroinvertebrates (water critters)
b. Thermometers
c. Test tubes
d. Taste test
5.) Red Fox typically have a litter of ten pups?
a. T
b. F
Answers
1.) c
2.) b, this counts the resident birds
3.) a
4.) a
5.) b, they typically have five pups
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